Pollution In Bayelsa: Deputy Gov tasks geographers, environmentalists on research
By: Odie Ramon, Yenagoa.
The Department of Geography and Environmental Management of the Niger Delta University (NDU) has been charged to carry out relevant researches that will help in mitigating the effects of pollution and environmental degradation in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region in general.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the charge when an eight member delegation of the department led by the Sub-Dean, Post-Graduate School, Prof. Odafivwotu Ohwo, paid a courtesy visit to his office in Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who noted that the Department had a strategic role to play in guiding relevant ministries and agencies of government to tackle environmental challenges, said there was need for the department to venture into issues bordering on climate change and other environmental challenges.
According to him, much is expected from the university in the area of conducting important researches with far-reaching findings that will help in solving problems of society.
His words: “We felt that the university is meant for the town and the gown. But these days, the university appears to be so much of the gown and not enough of the town.
“We expect that your department should be able to venture into the issues of pollution in our state and the Niger Delta area; Take some samples, do tests and come out with some environmental reports that suggest that you are up to date.
“On the issue of the level of pollution and environmental degradation, I expect you to come to town and not remain in the gown alone, so that we can see some researches and findings from our university that will guide the ministry of environment and other ministries and agencies in making sound decisions.”
Responding to the issue of accreditation raised by the delegation, Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured that government would take a holistic approach to addressing the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC) before the next accreditation exercise.
He, therefore, advised the Department of Geography and Environmental Management to channel its requirements for the forthcoming accreditation through the NDU management.
The Deputy Governor, who thanked the department for their sacrifice and show of patriotism that culminated in the success of the accreditation exercise some five years ago, reminded all state-owned tertiary institutions to submit their requirements six months to the due date for their respective accreditation exercises.
Earlier, the Leader of the delegation and Sub-Dean, Post Graduate School, Niger Delta University, Prof. Odafivwotu Ohwo, acknowledged the state government’s commitment to educational development, and appealed for its support toward the growth of the geography and environmental management department of the university.
Prof. Odafivwotu specifically called on the government to assist the department in equipping its weather-house, geographical information system (GIS), geomorphological and cartography laboratories with vital instruments to promote research and quality teaching.
According to him, the provision of these and other essential instruments will help the department to scale through the forthcoming accreditation process as well as attract research grants and external funding.
Professor Odafivwotu was accompanied on the visit by the Head of Department, Dr. Adedeyin Omidiji, and other senior academic staff of the department, including Sir Tonpagamo Tamuno and Dr. Ebifuro Odubo.
